Customizable jointed figurine and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A customizable jointed figurine comprises a torso and one or more limbs typically attached to one another via a rotatable joint. The customizable jointed figurine may have one or more wrappings that are generated via a customization system whereby individual users can customize the appearance of a wrapping. Each wrapping will typically be customizable according to a grid pattern whereby individual units of the grid can be configured and modified by a user. Wrappings can have various shapes and sized to cover various body parts of a customizable jointed figurine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/025,419, filed Jul. 16, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to figurines and in particular to a jointed figurine and systems and methods for manufacturing and customization thereof.

2. Related Art

Figurines are a popular type of consumer good that may be purchased for collections, recreation, entertainment and other uses. Typically, figurines have a mass produced and fixed appearance. Many figurines, such as action figures or dolls are indeed collected or purchased for their fixed appearance. Also, a wide variety of fixed-appearance figurines are available to the public at large via retail and other outlets. However, despite this, there still exists a significant desire and need for individually customizable figurines.

From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A customizable jointed figurine and systems and methods for manufacturing and customizing the same are disclosed herein. A customization system receives customized wrappings arranged according to a predefined grid pattern. Users' customized wrappings are then produced and applied to individual customizable jointed figurines to customize their appearance.

As will be discussed further herein, a customizable jointed figurine may have a variety of configurations. For instance, in one exemplary embodiment, a customizable jointed figurine comprises a torso having a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side, a flange extending from the bottom of the torso, and a head rotatably attached at the top of the torso.

The customizable jointed figurine also includes a first arm at the first side of the torso and a second arm is at the second side of the torso, a first leg and a second leg attached to the flange, and a plurality of wrappings each bearing a plurality of individual units arranged in a grid pattern. The plurality of wrappings individually cover the torso, the head, the first and second arms, and the first and second legs. One or more of the plurality of individual units have user-defined characteristics received from a remote client device operated by a user.

A plurality of magnetic connectors may be at the torso, wherein the first arm and the second arm are attached to the torso via one or more of the plurality of magnetic connectors. The head may be attached to the torso via the of the plurality of magnetic connectors as well. The user-defined characteristics may consist of hue, saturation, and brightness or one or more combinations thereof. Also, the individual units may be square in shape.

The torso, the first arm and second arm may be rectangular in shape and the head may be a cube to permit the plurality of wrappings to individually conform to the shape the torso, the first arm and the second arm. The first and second legs may be rotatably attached to the flange.

In another exemplary embodiment, a jointed figurine comprises a head comprising a first magnetic connector, a left arm comprising a second magnetic connector, a right arm comprising a third magnetic connector, and a torso. The torso comprises a top, bottom, left side and right side with a top magnetic connector at the top, a left magnetic connector at the left side and a right magnetic connector at the right side. One or more legs extend from the bottom of the torso as well.

A plurality of wrappings bearing a plurality of individual units arranged in a grid pattern are also included. The plurality of wrappings individually cover the torso, the head, the left and right arms, and the legs. The head, left arm and right arm are rotatably connected to the torso via respective magnetic attraction between the first magnetic connector and the top magnetic connector, the second magnetic connector and the left magnetic connector, and the third magnetic connector and the right magnetic connector. The top magnetic connector, the left magnetic connector and the right magnetic connector may be magnets.

One or more characteristics of each of the plurality of individual units may have user-defined characteristics received from a remote client device operated by a user. Also, each of the individual units may be square in shape. The torso, the first arm and second arm may be rectangular in shape and the head may be a cube to permit the plurality of wrappings to individually conform to the shape the torso, the first arm and the second arm.

The user-defined characteristics may consist of hue, saturation, and brightness or one or more combinations thereof. In addition, a flange may extend from the bottom of the torso, and the legs may be rotatably attached to the torso via the flange.

Various methods relating to jointed figurines are disclosed herein as well. For instance, a method for forming a jointed figurine comprises receiving one or more customized grid patterns at a customization system, reproducing the customized grid patterns on one or more wrappings via a printing device of the customization system, and cutting a peripheral shape of the customized grid patterns using an automated cutting device of the customization system.

This method also includes forming a torso, a left arm, a right arm, one or more legs and a head of the jointed figurine, and securing a plurality of magnetic connectors to the jointed figurine. Individual pairs of the plurality of magnetic connectors respectively attach the left arm to the torso, the right arm to the torso, and the head to the torso. The wrappings cover the torso, the left arm, the right arm, the legs and the head of the jointed figurine.

A grid pattern may be presented on a client device, with the customized grid patterns being generated by a user using (e.g., customizing) the presented grid pattern. One or more user-defined characteristics may be received for each of a plurality of individual units, with the customized grid pattern consisting of the plurality of individual units. The user defined characteristics may consist of hue, saturation, and brightness or one or more combinations thereof. In addition, the torso, the left arm, the right arm and the legs may be rectangular, and the head may be a cube.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary customizable jointed figurine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary customizable jointed figurine;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary joint and body part;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary joint and body part;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary wrapping before and after application to a body part;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary wrapping before and after application to a body part;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary wrapping before and after application to a body part;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary sheet of wrappings;

FIG. 9 illustrates a grid pattern for an exemplary wrapping and body part;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary customization system; and

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary customization system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

The customizable jointed figurine herein is both customizable and functional. The customizable jointed figurine is customizable in the sense that its appearance can be changed on a per user basis. This is advantageous in that it permits a nearly limitless number of possible appearances. The customizable jointed figurine is functional in the sense that it typically includes one or more movable elements that may also be interchangeable between customizable jointed figurines.

Another advantage of the customizable jointed figurine herein is that its customization process is accessible to users of high or low skill in customization of figures or figurines. In one or more embodiments, a user is given the freedom to customize the appearance of the customizable jointed figurine without overwhelming the user. This makes the customizable jointed figurine accessible to a wide variety of users. In addition, it is contemplated that users may share their customizations between one another.

An exemplary customizable jointed figurine 104 will now be described with regard to FIG. 1. A customizable jointed figurine 104 may comprise various body parts. For example, as can be seen, a customizable jointed figurine 104 may comprise a torso 108 and one or more limbs 112, 120. Typically, at least one limb 112, 120 will be rotatable or movable. A customizable jointed figurine 104 may also comprise one or more fixed or rotatable heads 116. Though shown as having a bipedal form, it is noted that the customizable jointed figurine 104 may be various four or other legged, animal, alien, robotic or other forms. It is also note that the limbs 112, 120 need not be legs or arms in all embodiments. For example, limbs 112, 120 may be antenna, tentacles, tails, or other members of a particular being.

In FIG. 1, the uppermost limbs form arms 112 while the lower limbs form legs 120. The limbs (i.e., arms 112 and legs 120) and head 116 are attached at their respective proximal ends to the torso 108 of the customizable jointed figurine 104. Specifically, the head 116 is attached to a top end 124 of the torso 108, the arms 112 are attached to the sides 128 of the torso, and the legs are attached at a bottom end 132 of the torso.

The torso 108 may have a flange 136 at its bottom end 132 to which one or more legs 120 may be attached. As will be described further below, the flange 136 may have an opening therein to accept a joint that secures the legs to the flange and therefore to the torso. The flange 136 may be a planar structure, such as shown, to allow a joint to pass therethrough and between two legs 120 of a customizable jointed figurine 104. In this manner, the joint can function as an axel to allow rotation of both legs 120 of a customizable jointed figurine 104.

In the above embodiment, the arms 112, head 116 and legs 120 are rotatably attached to the torso 108. FIG. 2 illustrates a fixed limb embodiment where the legs 120 of the customizable jointed figurine 104 are fixed and thus are not rotatable. In this embodiment, the legs 120 extend downward from the torso 108 as integral or fixedly attached limb(s). It will be understood that the arms 112 and head 116 of a customizable jointed figurine 104 may be fixed and as well.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary joint 304 used to connect various elements of a customizable jointed figurine 104. It is contemplated that various rotating or movable mounts, now known or later developed, may be used as a joint 304. For example, a joint 304 may comprise a hinge, ball and socket joint, pivot, axel or other structure.

With reference to the exemplary joint 304 shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, it can be seen that such joint may comprise a coupling 308 for insertion into corresponding openings 312 of various body parts 324 (e.g., torsos, heads, arms, legs or other limbs) of a customizable jointed figurine 104. The coupling 308 may be shaped to secure itself within an opening 312. For example, a coupling 308 may comprise a barb 316 at one or more of its ends to help secure the coupling within an opening. As can be seen, a barb 316 may be a tapered and/or enlarged portion of the coupling 308. Typically, a barb 316 will be larger than the opening 312 in which it is to be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a barb 316 may have one or more reliefs 320 to aid in compressing the barb for insertion into an opening. Specifically, a relief 320 may be provided to allow a barb 316 to temporarily shrink in size and then expand to its original size once properly seated in an opening 312. Alternatively or in addition, at least a barb 316 of a coupling 308 may be formed from a compressible or resilient material to allow the barb to be inserted into an opening 312. An opening 312 of a body part 324 may also or alternatively be formed from a resilient material to allow a barb 316 to enter the opening.

It is contemplated that a body part 324 may have one or more openings 312. The torso for example may have multiple openings 312 to allow multiple limbs, a head or both to be attached thereto. Individual limbs or a head may also have multiple openings 312 as well to allow various body parts 324 to be connected to various other body parts.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of another exemplary joint 304 for attaching various body parts 324 of a customizable jointed figurine 104 together. In this embodiment, a coupling is formed via magnetic attraction between magnetic connectors 404 of the body parts 324 that are to be attached to one another. This is advantageous in that magnetic connectors 404 form a connection that is both rotatable and easily disconnected. In this manner, users can easily swap or replace body parts 324 between customizable jointed figurines 104. A magnetic connector 404 may comprise a magnet, magnetic or magnetized material.

For example, various arms, heads, legs or both may be connected and disconnected to a torso via individual magnetic connectors 404. To illustrate, FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view showing a magnetic connector 404 use to connect an arm 112 to a torso 108. As noted though, a magnetic connector 404 may be used to connect one or more heads 116 or legs 120 to a torso 108.

As can be seen, a magnetic connector 404 may be mounted within an opening 312 of a body part 324. Typically, the magnetic connector 404 will be mounted such that its external surface is flush with the surface of the body part 324. This is advantageous in that it permits body parts 324 to be secured to one another with minimal or no gap therebetween. Alternatively, a magnetic connector 404 may extend outward from the surface of a body part 324, such as to allow rotation of body parts relative to one another without binding.

A magnetic connector 404 may be secured to a body part 324 in various ways. In one embodiment, a magnetic connector 404 may be secured by a snap or friction fit between the magnetic connector and an opening 312. In another embodiment, an adhesive or fastener may be used to secure the magnetic connector 404. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic connector 404, opening 312 or both may have mating or corresponding structures arranged to secure these elements to one another. For example, the magnetic connector 404 may comprise one or more protrusions that permit the magnetic connector to be twisted into a threaded opening 312. In some embodiments, a magnetic connector 404 may be adhered or otherwise affixed to the surface of a body part 324.

It is contemplated that magnetic connectors 404 may have alignment features to align body parts 324 when attached to one another. For example, one magnetic connector 404 may comprise an outward extending tab received in a depression of a corresponding magnetic connector. The tab and/or depression may be circular so as to permit rotation of body parts 324. Alternatively, a tab and depression may be polygonal (e.g., square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) in shape so as to prevent rotation. This is advantageous in situations where a user desires his or her customizable jointed figurine to hold a particular pose.

Customization of a customizable jointed figurine will now be described with regard to FIGS. 5-7. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate exemplary customizable wrappings 504 for a customizable jointed figurine. In general, each wrapping 504 is a thin planar structure having two sides or surfaces, namely, a decorative side 508 and a contact side. In one or more embodiments, the decorative side 508 and contact side will be opposite sides, with the decorative side bearing one or more decorative features while the contact side bears or receives an adhesive. In this manner, the decorative side 508 can serve to customize the appearance of a customizable jointed figurine, while the contact side attaches the wrapping 504 to the customizable jointed figurine. Exemplary custom appearances for customizable jointed figurines comprising decorative sides 508 of various wrappings are shown (in dashed lines) in FIGS. 1-2.

Decorative features on a decorative side 508 may be formed by various coatings. For example, a decorative side 508 may have one or more patterns formed thereon via various pigments, paints or the like. Typically, a color or black and white printer will be used to form decorative features. It is noted that various coatings may be used including coatings that provide various colors, textures, light emitting (i.e., glow in the dark) or other features. One or more protective coatings, such as a clear coat, may also be applied to a decorative side 508.

A wrapping 504 may have various shapes and sizes as shown in FIGS. 5-7. As can be seen, in one embodiment a wrapping 504 may be “t” shaped, rectangular, or other shapes. One or more wrappings 504 may be applied to a single body part of a customizable jointed figurine. The decorative side 508 of each wrapping 504 will typically be formed such that a continuous design or pattern can be formed when a wrapping is applied to a body part.

To illustrate, the striped design of the “t” shaped wrapping 504 of FIG. 5 comprises a first end member 512 and second end member 532 extending from a body 520. The body 520 comprises a first flap 524 and a second flap 528 at its sides, and an extension member 516 extends from a distal end of the second end member 532. This arrangement allows the “hammer” shaped wrapping 504 to cover a three dimensional body part. More specifically, the “hammer” shaped wrapping 504 may be folded at the dashed lines which delineate its elements such that: (1) the first end member 512 covers a first end of a body part; (2) the body 520, first flap 524 and second flap 528 cover the sides of the body part; (3) the extension member 516 covers another side of the body part; and (4) the second end member 532 covers a second end of the body part. An arm 112 covered in this manner is also shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, a rectangular wrapping 504 may be used to cover a single or multiple surfaces of a body part. To cover a cube shaped body part, such as a head, a rectangular wrapping 504 may be folded at the dashed lines to cover three surfaces of the body part. To illustrate, a rectangular wrapping 504 may have a first, second and third sections 604, 608, 612. These sections 604, 608, 612 may be applied to cover a first, second and third side of a body part. A head 116 covered in this manner is also shown in FIG. 6. Another rectangular wrapping 504 may be used to cover the remaining three surfaces of the head or other cube shaped body part.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary “t” shaped wrapping 504. As can be seen, this wrapping conforms to a grid pattern as well but also includes reliefs in the form of rounded features 704. These permit a wrapping 504 to cover a body part with rounded structures. For example, a proximal end of a leg may be rounded to allow the leg to rotate without binding on the torso or other body part.

In one or more embodiments, one or more wrappings 504 may be printed on a single sheet good 804, such as an adhesive backed paper medium or material. This is illustrated in FIG. 8. Thereafter, a wrapping 504 may be cut out in the shapes disclosed above by cutting the wrapping 504 around its periphery. A wrapping 504 may then be removed and applied to a body part, such as disclosed above. One or more openings 540 may be cut or otherwise formed in a wrapping 504 to accommodate an opening of a body part to receive a joint.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a wrapping 504 and body parts 324 of a customizable jointed figurine will typically both correspond to a predefined grid pattern 904. This helps ensure that the wrapping 504 will cover a body part 324 as intended such that the decorative features born by the wrapping are properly aligned and displayed. Each grid pattern will typically comprise a plurality of uniform blocks or units 908.

Some exemplary grid patterns are as follows. For example, a rectangular wrapping 504 may comprise an 8×24 unit grid to cover three sizes of an 8×8×8 unit head. As another example, a “t” shaped wrapping 504 may comprise: (1) a 4×4 unit first end member 512 and second end member 532; (2) a 12×12 unit body 520 with 4×12 unit first and second flaps 524, 528; and (3) a 4×12 unit extension member 516. This “hammer” shaped wrapping 504 may be used to cover a 4×4×12 unit limb.

In one or more embodiments, a customizable jointed figurine may be customized via a customization system. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary customization system 1004 that permits users at various locations to customize their own customizable jointed figurine. As can be seen, a customization system 1004 may comprise a client device 1008 in communication with a server 1012 via one or more networks 1024. The server 1012 may be in communication with one or more printing devices 1016 that output or print a customized wrapping. An automated cutter 1020, such as a laser cutter, may be included as well. Once a wrapping is printed, the cutter 1020 may be used to cut out the wrapping. It is contemplated that the printing device 1016 may include an automated cutter head to cut out wrappings. Communication may occur via wired or wireless communications through various protocols.

A client device may be an end-user device comprising one or more displays, one or more processors, one or more input devices, and one or more communications devices. For example, a client device may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer in some embodiments. In general, a display is used to present a grid to a user. This allows the user to customize each unit of the grid such as by selecting a color for each unit. Selection will typically occur via an input device, such as a touch screen, mouse, keyboard, or other human interface device.

Operation of an exemplary customization system will now be described with regard to FIG. 11. At a step 1104, a grid pattern may be presented to a user via a client device. At a step 1108, the user may customize the grid pattern, via an input device of the client device, such as to customize the coating or other characteristic of one or more units in the grid pattern. A customized grid pattern including the user's input for one or more or all units is generated as a result.

At a step 1112, the customized grid pattern is transmitted from the client device to a server. It is noted that the client device will typically also save the grid pattern on a storage device locally and/or at a server. Such storage device may utilize various data storage technologies, now know or later developed, such as magnetic, flash based or optical storage technology.

A server may be configured to automatically instruct a printing device to produce (i.e., print) the customized grid pattern on a material or medium upon receipt of the customized grid pattern. This is shown at a step 1116. Printing may be queued if needed. At a step 1120 the grid pattern may be cut out by a cutting device. Thereafter, the completed wrapping may be applied to a body part at a step 1124.

It is noted that printing may occur at one or more printing devices. For instance, a first printing device may apply one or more first coatings while a second printing device applies one or more second coatings, and so on and so forth. This is advantageous in that each printing device can be specialized. For instance, individual printing devices may print specific colors, produce specific textures, apply specific materials, apply protective coatings or the like. In a multi-device printing process, it is contemplated that each printing medium or material may have an identifier to ensure that each printing device applies the proper coating. For example, a printing medium may have a barcode, serial number or other identifier to indicate which customized grid pattern is to be applied thereon.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A customizable jointed figurine comprising: a torso having a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side; a flange extending from the bottom of the torso; a head rotatably attached at the top of the torso; a first arm at the first side of the torso and a second arm at the second side of the torso; a first leg and a second leg attached to the flange; and a plurality of wrappings each bearing a plurality of individual units arranged in a grid pattern, wherein the plurality of wrappings individually cover the torso, the head, the first and second arms, and the first and second legs; wherein one or more of the plurality of individual units have user-defined characteristics received from a remote client device operated by a user.
 2. The customizable jointed figurine of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of magnetic connectors at the torso, wherein the first arm and the second arm are attached to the torso via one or more of the plurality of magnetic connectors.
 3. The customizable jointed figurine of claim 2, wherein the head is attached to the torso via the one or more of the plurality of magnetic connectors.
 4. The customizable jointed figurine of claim 1, wherein the user-defined characteristics consist of hue, saturation, and brightness or one or more combinations thereof.
 5. The customizable jointed figurine of claim 1, wherein the individual units are square in shape.
 6. The customizable jointed figurine of claim 5, wherein the torso, the first arm and second arm are rectangular in shape and the head is a cube to permit the plurality of wrappings to individually conform to the shape the torso, the first arm and the second arm.
 7. The customizable jointed figurine of claim 1, wherein the first and second legs are rotatably attached to the flange.
 8. A jointed figurine comprising: a head comprising a first magnetic connector; a left arm comprising a second magnetic connector; a right arm comprising a third magnetic connector; a torso comprising a top, bottom, left side and right side with a top magnetic connector at the top, a left magnetic connector at the left side and a right magnetic connector at the right side; one or more legs extending from the bottom of the torso; a plurality of wrappings bearing a plurality of individual units arranged in a grid pattern, wherein the plurality of wrappings individually cover the torso, the head, the left and right arms, and the one or more legs; wherein the head, left arm and right arm are rotatably connected to the torso via respective magnetic attraction between the first magnetic connector and the top magnetic connector, the second magnetic connector and the left magnetic connector, and the third magnetic connector and the right magnetic connector.
 9. The jointed figurine of claim 8, wherein one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of individual units have user-defined characteristics received from a remote client device operated by a user.
 10. The jointed figurine of claim 8, wherein each of the individual units are square in shape.
 11. The jointed figurine of claim 10, wherein the torso, the first arm and second arm are rectangular in shape and the head is a cube to permit the plurality of wrappings to individually conform to the shape the torso, the first arm and the second arm.
 12. The jointed figurine of claim 8, wherein the user-defined characteristics consist of hue, saturation, and brightness or one or more combinations thereof.
 13. The jointed figurine of claim 8 further comprising a flange extending from the bottom of the torso, wherein the one or more legs are rotatably attached to the torso via the flange.
 14. The jointed figurine of claim 8, wherein the top magnetic connector, the left magnetic connector and the right magnetic connector are magnets.
 15. A method for forming a jointed figurine comprising: receiving one or more customized grid patterns at a customization system; reproducing the one or more customized grid patterns on one or more wrappings via a printing device of the customization system; cutting a peripheral shape of the one or more customized grid patterns using an automated cutting device of the customization system; forming a torso, a left arm, a right arm, one or more legs and a head of the jointed figurine; securing a plurality of magnetic connectors to the jointed figurine, wherein individual pairs of the plurality of magnetic connectors respectively attach the left arm to the torso, the right arm to the torso, and the head to the torso; wherein the one or more wrappings cover the torso, the left arm, the right arm, the one or more legs and the head of the jointed figurine.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising presenting a grid pattern on a client device, wherein the one or more customized grid patterns are generated by a user using the presented grid pattern.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving one or more user-defined characteristics for each of a plurality of individual units, wherein the customized grid pattern consists of the plurality of individual units.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more user defined characteristics consist of hue, saturation, and brightness or one or more combinations thereof.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the torso, the left arm, the right arm and the one or more legs are rectangular.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the head is a cube. 